I've never found a 5 string that I really enjoyed; a 4 string in standard tuning does about 90% of what I need it to do, and I'm thinking of putting a Hipshot detuner on for when I need to go a little lower. But if you've found a comfortable 5 string to play, then rock it out!
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I'm so confused! Advice please :)
- Thread starter Evil Undead
- Start date
When playing with my band which is metal kind, I like to match the guitar tuning, cause there are a lot of open string riffs generally, this make songs easier to play and learn, and sound better IMO... With my band I have played my 6 string tuned one half step higher than standard tuning (low C) to match the guit for those reasons, now I use more a 4 string tuned in low C (a warwick SS2 mostly)...
So I would match the guitar tuning on the 4 string or the 5 string, depending on which you will choose to play. You can keep the other in std. tuning to have fun at home playing other songs.
And if I was you I would play the warwick, I like these basses I own 2 and they do well for me... Choose the devil !!! lol
So I would match the guitar tuning on the 4 string or the 5 string, depending on which you will choose to play. You can keep the other in std. tuning to have fun at home playing other songs.
And if I was you I would play the warwick, I like these basses I own 2 and they do well for me... Choose the devil !!! lol
One question - what is it that you find less comfortable about the 5er? Is it that you find yourself tripping over the strings or that you struggle to stretch far enough?
If the former, maybe a 5er with wider string spacing. If the latter, maybe a 4 would be best.
If the former, maybe a 5er with wider string spacing. If the latter, maybe a 4 would be best.
Not sure about the OP, but for me its the width of the neck. The problem is when I find a neck width that is comfortable, the strings are way too close together and I trip over them. When the string spacing is right, the neck is huge and reaching becomes uncomfortable. So I think I'll stick with my P bass.
My difficulty in switching between 4 & 5 string was the difference in string spacing. My 4 was 19mm & the 5 is 18mm. Because of work & family schedules at the time I didn't have a lot of time to devote to practice so I switched to 5 string totally. Band I was playing in were playing a bunch of tunes that needed those lower notes.
Now any bass I look at has to be 18mm spacing.
Now any bass I look at has to be 18mm spacing.
Not sure about the OP, but for me its the width of the neck. The problem is when I find a neck width that is comfortable, the strings are way too close together and I trip over them. When the string spacing is right, the neck is huge and reaching becomes uncomfortable. So I think I'll stick with my P bass.
That's exactly the circumstances when I'd say 'stick with 4'. I found a 19mm 5er with a really comfortable neck, despite thinking that what I really wanted was a narrow-necked 4. So for me it's a 5, but can understand that some people just prefer a 4. However, some just haven't found the right 5 yet!
Well I've still got some on my list to try, so we'll see. I desperately want to try a Dingwall J or P style 5 string.
Dingwall - now we're talking. I have to try one before I consider any other bass. I've got fanned frets on the brain at the moment.
I use the G quite a bit. I'm in a rock covers band, we cover all sorts from 60's to current, and the guitars are both in standard.
I actually quite like playing a bit further up the neck... because I've got quite small hands I find it much easier to use one finger per fret after the 5th fret.
Yes, the spacing is quite different. On the Ibanez it's 16.5mm as you say, and on the Warwick it's adjustable - I keep it at 18.5mm.
For some songs (like The Trooper) it's easier with the wider spacing so I don't hit other strings by mistake, but then for something like Anaesthesia, I prefer the narrow spacing.
The B only seems to get in the way on a couple of songs - Wishing Well (Free) being the worst. No idea why. I try to float my thumb, although once I get in to the groove I don't pay any attention to it - it's possibly dropping down to rest on something. I'll look next time I play.
My current band is a covers band, but I'm thinking of starting up a metal project at some point. Maybe later on this year.
I'm not really a fan of drop tunings. I'm not really new to bass (2.5 years) but I'm new to learning the fretboard and theory, and I don't want to confuse myself
I have this same issue. I have always played a 4 string till lately. I got a 5 string because of not wanting to tune to different songs and now I got used to it to the point that when I pick up my four string it is strange to me. Plus my 4 string is a short scale and my five is a Fender j. I now never play the 4 and am looking to trade it for another 5 string bass that is a similar scale to my j because jumping back and forth is driving me nuts. Not to mention I need my back up to be used to play those lower tuned songs incase my j gos down.
It's more that I trip over the strings a little. It's weird because part of me finds the smaller string spacing quite comfortable because I have girl hands, and the other part of me is so used to playing 4 strings that I'm used to them being that bit further apart. Isn't it odd how much difference 2mm can make?
The neck on the SR is very comfortable. Much thinner front to back than the Warwick, but the width evens the whole feel out over all.
I have a 4 and a 5 string bass (my 5 string is a Warwick $$) and have no trouble going between them. That being said I play my 5 string the most because I like the sound of it better, so I can see your dellema with that $$. Keep using both of them. Why have toys and not play with them?
Seems like the answer to all of this would be to buy a Warwick $$ 5 string haha!
But, I used to own one and had to sell it for a couple of reasons - it was too heavy, only 9.5lbs but too much for me, and the neck was MASSIVE!!! I could barely get my hand around to play it
You could always hit up the custom shop. I'm not sure but I believe there is an option for a slim neck on the $$, but once you start adding things in the custom shop it gets expensive quick. I was playing around in their price list and called my wife in and said " I've built my dream bass.....it's only 12,000 dollars" haha
Why isn't "carrots" an option in this poll? I thought that was a requirement.
I play four string exclusively theses days. It's just enough strings to play the music I play. Years ago I played a five, sometimes exclusively, sometimes alternately with my four, depending on the gig. Once I was comfortable on the five, I had no trouble switching back and forth, but only after I played the five exclusively for a few weeks. YMMV, but that is about how long it took for the five to become second nature to me, when I could play without looking down at my right hand to make sure I was hitting the right strings. So, do put that four string under the bed for a couple weeks and see what happens. You'll find it's easier to play on one less string than you are "used to" than one more.
BTW I think that five string is not too shabby looking. I'd date her if her daddy was rich.
.I play four string exclusively theses days. It's just enough strings to play the music I play. Years ago I played a five, sometimes exclusively, sometimes alternately with my four, depending on the gig. Once I was comfortable on the five, I had no trouble switching back and forth, but only after I played the five exclusively for a few weeks. YMMV, but that is about how long it took for the five to become second nature to me, when I could play without looking down at my right hand to make sure I was hitting the right strings. So, do put that four string under the bed for a couple weeks and see what happens. You'll find it's easier to play on one less string than you are "used to" than one more.
BTW I think that five string is not too shabby looking. I'd date her if her daddy was rich.
I would recommend to stick on the 4 string if you can. I believe a 4 string bass is more comfortable and as long as you don't think that you COULD be playing a 5, you have everything you need right there on the 4. Although, I would highly recommend a hipshot tuner for those drop tuning songs. I play exclusively 5's for 3 years now (pretty much started on them) and tried to go back to 4's and it was quite diffucult. I think I'm going to stick with 5's for my band. I say stay with the 4 and don't look back because you are more comfortable on it.
Duuuude...with a Warwick $$ I would play the crap outta that and closet the SR505. Handsome devil is right...very nice bass indeed.
